California Construction News staff writer
Construction has reached a major milestone at Kindred Affordable Apartments in downtown San Diego, where VCC Construction has completed framing on the eight-story affordable housing development.
The topping-out milestone marks the completion of the building’s structural frame and moves the project closer to its planned opening in early 2027. Located in the Cortez Hill neighborhood, the 138,000-square-foot development will transform the former site of the County of San Diego’s Family Court into an affordable, intergenerational community for seniors and families with low incomes.
Developed by BRIDGE Housing in partnership with the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC), Kindred Apartments will include 126 rental homes, community spaces, resident services offices, outdoor courtyards, parking and approximately 4,400 square feet of commercial space.
“This project represents what can happen when public agencies and nonprofit partners work together to deliver much-needed housing,” San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said. “I look forward to continued collaboration to ensure we are serving our shared constituents.”
The development is receiving support from multiple public and private partners, including SDHC, which awarded 84 housing vouchers for Kindred Apartments. Of those, 63 vouchers are designated for seniors who have previously experienced homelessness, while 21 will assist eligible families with low incomes.
SDHC also provided a loan of up to $7.955 million using federal, state and local resources, including funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s HOME Investment Partnerships Program, California’s Local Housing Trust Fund and the City of San Diego’s Affordable Housing Fund.
“Kindred Apartments will transform this site into a vibrant community that brings seniors and families together and provides housing stability in a shared place to call home,” said Colin Miller, SDHC senior vice president of real estate development.
BRIDGE Housing President and CEO Ken Lombard said affordable housing provides more than shelter by supporting healthier families, stronger communities and opportunities for residents of all ages.
San Ysidro Health will provide supportive services at the development, including medical and social services through the San Diego Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) for seniors who have experienced homelessness. The organization will also provide case management and social services for all residents.
The project team includes BRIDGE Housing as developer, SDHC as a financing and development partner, and VCC Construction as general contractor. The development is being built in a transit-oriented area with access to public transportation, jobs, schools, parks and other community resources.
The County of San Diego contributed $4 million from its Innovative Housing Trust Fund and provided the development site as part of its initiative to use excess county-owned land for affordable housing.
Additional financing includes more than $17.7 million in recycled tax-exempt Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds from the state. The funding is part of a bond recycling partnership involving SDHC, the City of San Diego and the California Housing Finance Agency.
Once complete, Kindred Apartments will add a significant supply of long-term affordable housing to San Diego while creating a community designed to support seniors and families living together in a shared residential setting.
